Letter: Wildlife neglect

Sir: There is a clear and urgent need for the UK government to make a real commitment to halting the decline of our natural heritage ("Neglect wreaking havoc on wildlife sites", 29 October).

English Nature, which is one of the Government's key advisers on wildlife protection, has now joined the call for stronger legislation and more resources to tackle one of the root causes of the problem - neglect.

Surely now the Prime Minister must respond positively and introduce a comprehensive wildlife bill in the forthcoming Queen's Speech - one that will provide the conservation agencies with the powers they need to act as true guardians of the countryside.

STUART WHITE

Chair, WWF-UK's Living Countryside Campaign

Godalming, Surrey